r/GriffithUni • u/ky8724 • 13d ago

In Griffiths Empower-Ed program, is there any reason I could be rejected?

My parents pulled me from school when i was really young, and I've been homeschooled (quite poorly) for several years. I don't have any "proof" of my eduaction (tests, NAPLAN, year 10, IELTS).

I'm planing on applying next week, but I'm really worried about getting rejected. I thought about just doing the IELTS, so I could put something down, but its $500 dollars, and that is pretty much half of all my savings(😭😭😭). I work alot, and I just got a second job, so if it would be better to pay for it, I will, because I'm DESPERATE to get in.

Plus I'm really worried that they will rejected me just because of the fact I've been homeschooled. But, I read and teach myself alot, and I've had a job for a while.

I know nobody can know for sure, but I would really apreciate some advice or help.

Thank you in advance!!

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u/SlatkoPotato 13d ago

From what I can see, it says 17yrs old "or" completed yr 12 or equivalent (which i believe may be any tertiary studies? But double check that).

That "or" is the main question, as i interpret that to mean you can get accepted without yr 12 (or equivalent) as long as you are 17 or older. My next step would be reaching out through the "ask us" link to clarify that clause, or popping in to see the SRC or the Student Connect desk in the Library to talk to someone about it.

It sucks that it sounds like you werent very set up for this pathway, but you are also no where near running out of time or missing out or anything like that. There will be a pathway in and delays and detours always seem much bigger at the beginning of the road.

Even if it gets rejected, its not a full stop. Talking to Student Connect will also help with finding the pathway in even if EmpowerEd gets rejected. I would also ask about scholarships or other programs or supports relevant to your circumstances as you might be eligible for more than you realise.

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u/ky8724 13d ago

Thank you so much!! :)))

I turn 17 in the middle/end of December, and the intake I'm planning on applying for is for January, so I'll be old enough for the age thing. But I haven't done any proper "studies" (heavy quotations) since i was in school, which was like grade 4. But I have taught myself as much as I'm able to through books and stuff. I was trying to get into tafe, but they wouldnt accept me because i havent done year 10.

This is probably a dumb question, but would i be seen as a bother if I went in and talked to them/asked about it?? (When i talked to TAFE, and alternative schools, a few months ago, people weren't super nice lol)

Thank you. I worry alot that I'll never get a proper education, or be able to go to uni, and I kind of convinced myself that i never would, lol. So it's reassuring to know that there can be other paths, even if this dosent work :)

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u/SlatkoPotato 13d ago

That sucks that the Tafe staff were so rude, it definitely shouldnt be that way and im sorry you had that experience. I can at least say my experiences getting help from Student Connect and SRC at the Nathan Campus has always been friendly and positive. I have never been made to feel like a bother and ive had some fairly uncommon inquiries that i was worried would be a bit annoying to push.

As long as you are driven and dedicated to your study goals (which sounds like you very much are), youll be a far better student than someone who went to school and got into uni because they figure thats what they should be doing. At the end of the day, uni's are looking for students that do well and can tell good success stories about them afterwards (or pump out a few research papers :P). An academic history doesnt guarantee that, but dedication and drive can. They mostly just need to make sure your math, english and ability to thrive in an academic setting are met and if not there are pathways into getting those checked off too. They want to set you up for success so you can enroll and make them some money from your degree :P

If you would like, im happy to meet you on the Nathan Campus to go talk to Student Connect but understand if you prefer not to DM internet strangers too. I am a woman in my 30s but its still always more important to go with how safe you personally feel so I will leave that up to you to message me if you would like that.

Otherwise, wishing you all the good luck for getting accepted into the EmpowerEd program and all the success on your uni journey!

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u/ky8724 13d ago

Yeah, I had some people blame 8 year old me for "dropping out". When it was literally my parents who pulled me out, and it was their choice. It's good that the people at Griffith have been nice tho!!!

Do you know what kind of pathways are available to prove I can do the maths/English?? I know id need science as well, since i want to do forensics and criminology degrees. I've got some books and stuff I've been reading and studying as much as I can, to catch up.

Really??? That would be awesome!! Thank you!! :))) I checked, and the Empower-Ed in person classes are only available at Logan and on the Coast, and I'd probably apply to Logan since I'm closer. But would it matter if I were to talk to Nathan, or should i talk to Logan??

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u/SlatkoPotato 13d ago

If youd like i can pop in to Logan Campus, thats the same distance from me. Crim has classrooms at Nathan but if the program youre getting into now is at Logan then its better to go there and then you also are familiar with where it is for future. Im a Psych student and theres a lot of classmates doing Crim Psych as well who are really enjoying the course.

You would basically be looking at any bridging course which is basically your yr 12 qualification just done outside of the school system (through the tertiary studies system). I believe they are usually 6 months or a year and is one of the main "or equivalent" courses for the EmpowerEd program pre-requisites.

Also, thats insane. 8 yr olds notoriously dont have much say in stuff like that. Hopefully it wasnt adults making comments like that.

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u/ky8724 12d ago

Omg really??? Thank you so muchhhh!!!!! I really appreciate it!!! As long as it's not a bother or anything!!!

Would the IELTS count as a bridging course?? Since I read that it can be used as a year 10 equivalent.

It actually was several adults who said it lol. Which was SO insanely frustrating

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u/SlatkoPotato 12d ago

I dont mind, its what i would like to see in my community so im more than happy to help out. In person support to navigate things like this is something ive often felt i needed and didnt have access to a lot.

The IELTS might help but they arent a yr 12 equivalent course, but we can ask about it and see if it makes any steps shorter or anything.

And that is insanely frustrating.. some people really dont think before they say stuff hey lol i cant imagine holding an 8 yr old accountable for staying in school.. like, even if they did "choose" to stop going theres usually something bigger going on than if it was an adult making a similar choice for themselves.

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u/ky8724 9d ago

Thank you so, so much!!! I genuinly really apreciate it :) (if it's okay with you we can figure out a time/day that works)

I KNOW!!! And some of the people saying it were teachers!! So you'd think theyd know that an 8 year old dosent/can't decidede all on their own that they want to stop school!!!!

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u/SlatkoPotato 9d ago

No worries at all, i sent a direct message :)

Somehow the teachers part makes sense, ive met a lot of burnt out teachers who get a weird view of how much responsibility the kids they teach have and just see them (and parents) as the problem. I mean, i get that sometimes kids and parents can be a lot and very in the wrong but the burnout resentment is a whole other ballpark.

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u/Legal_Style_1555 12d ago

hi, I just finished empowerED last tri, there shouldn't be! I got my acceptance email a day after I applied and I applied during peak application!

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u/Legal_Style_1555 12d ago

also I dropped out in year 9 & I was 17 when I started and finished my Course. empowerED was great, it was like dipping your toe into uni with a lot of support. if you ever need any help feel free to ask any questions at all ;)

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u/ky8724 12d ago

Oooh, so the course was pretty good overall?? And what was the whole application process like?? Also, what kinds of basic education stuff do they teach?? (And were the people there nice lol?? I really wanna make some friends😭😭)

Sorry for all the questions!!!! Tysm :)))

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u/Legal_Style_1555 12d ago

The people are lovely! Everyone was so nice, it’s so much different to high school because everyone is coming in without knowing any one and everyone is as nervous as you are! I still have a group of 4 that I went through empowerED with, and we still hang out believe it or not I became best friends with an 81 year old, that you might have classes with if you’re in the gc. I think you should go to the orientation day even if you stay for an hour or two, familiarise yourself with the tutors students scope everyone out. (Expect half of them to be gone by your 2nd term) try and make friends with people where you can. Everyone’s nervous and everyone wants a friend. They’ll emphasise making connections with other people a fair amount, and it’s best if you do.

I applied through qtac and it was $50 i think? (I applied last November so I can’t quite remember). It was pretty easy, you only need id if I can remember properly.

The course itself is pretty easy it’s 2 days (if you do full time) a week in 6 week increments. Half the time you just need to go over the course load the day before (if you’re like me) and you’ll be set. It’s just basics, a lot of emphasis on referencing, essay writing, career planning, maths and science.

One thing is that when you go into your degree is that you’ll notice how much they held your hand throughout the whole process in empowerED. Compared to being in the bachelors that I am in right now (pharmacy) I feel like I was being hand fed the entire time in empowerED.

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u/ky8724 12d ago

Wow!!! That's FAST!!!!!! The person who told me about it, said it took over 4 weeks to hear back!!!! I hope they get back to mine quick, because Idk if I could what that long lolll

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u/Legal_Style_1555 12d ago

I’m pretty sure it’s a 100% acceptance rate!